Philippines: six month cement sales accelerate to 10.13Mt

Cement sales in the first six months increased 6.18 per cent to 10.13Mt from 9.54Mt in 2012, the Cement Manufacturer’s Association of the Philippines said. The group attributed the healthy performance to the country’s improving construction business and to the government’s ongoing infrastructure programme.Meanwhile, the group reported that the industry imported 12Mt of clinker during the first six months. Total domestic cement output in 2012 was 18.35Mt, 17.5 per cent higher than in 2011.

For 2013, cement companies expect a 16.6 per cent increase in capacity utilisation due to good prospects in the construction sector. The cement industry noted that the rosy outlook of the construction and real sector would trickle down to the cement industry.

Earlier, the industry announced it reduced prices by an average of PHP5/bag (US$0.11/bag) after two years without price adjustment. With increase in output, the industry might be enforcing further price reduction in the coming months.